Phenology,distribution,biology and population trends of Procontarinia matteiana Kieffer and Cecconi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Punjab,Pakistan

In pakistan,a survey for mango gall midges and their natural enemies was initiated for the first time in 2007. of the gall midge species recorded from mango procontarinia matteiana kieffer & cecconi was one of the most serious pests damaging leaves. it forms solitary or grouped galls on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. in case of severe attack,leaves become curled,ultimately dry and fall,thus indirectly impacting plant yield. it was recorded from all mango growing areas surveyed in punjab including lahore,multan,bahawalpur and rahim yar khan. females oviposited on newly developed leaves,larval and pupal stages were completed in galls and adults emerged from galls through small holes. it was active from march to november. at rahim yar khan every year two peaks of its population were observed first in march/april and second in september/october. it underwent diapause as pupae in galls from december to february. the phenology of two parasitoids,closterocerus pulcherrimus and synopeas temporale reared from galls of p. matteiana was well synchronized with their host. their population was low in the year 2008 however with conservation measures it increased during 2009-10 in experimental orchard. copyright 2013 zoological society of pakistan.